Simon Mattsson
Competitor in Skill: Industrial Control
Country: Sweden
How did you get interested in your skill?
I’ve always been interested in technique and electricity. There was no other option for me when choosing education on the gymnasium, I wanted to become an industrial electrician. When I heard about competing in my skill I got even more interested and it sort of became a hobby to me.
Where did you do your training for your skill?
I do my training at my current school where I’ve studied for the last three years.
How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I first heard about Worldskills Sweden two years ago when the previous competitor in my skill had a training camp with two other countries at my school. From that day I always said that I wanted to become as good as he was and compete myself. Today he’s my coach and I’m training for a new competition, it’s like living my dream!
Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
It’s thanks to my teacher who told me to do the internet selection to our national competition. Without him I wouldn’t be part of Worldskills Sweden today.
What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
Worldskills competition in São Paulo will be my first competition with Worldskills Sweden, but I’ve had the chance to meet the others in the Swedish team. It’s a joyful and tagged bunch of people who are heading for São Paulo in August!
Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
The most memorable moment so far with Worldskills was when I won the national competition in Industrial Control and became the best industrial electrician in Sweden. It really felt unbelievable, and even harder was it to realize that this was just the start of a new journey to be a part of Worldskills Sweden and to continue competing in my skill. It’s like a dream come true!
Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills.
Since I won the national competition I’ve started training for the Worldskills Competition in São Paulo, but I’ve also met the others in the Swedish team.
Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
Absolutely, every competition and training gives me more confidence to the project, but also personal. The feeling I get when I succeed with something I’ve worked hard for is indescribable, it’s like if I can do this I can succeed with anything.
What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I’m on my last year in school, so the plan is to start working after Worldskills competition in São Paulo in August.
What are your future career aspirations?
Of course I still want to be a part of Worldskills Sweden, with things like helping the next competitor in his/her training. In my work career I want to get new challenges all the time to continue with my personal development. The technique will continue developing every year, so the best thing with my profession is that you’ll never get fully trained.